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Advance ticket sales promised the largest attendance at a football game in local history. The Pittsburgh Steelers were coming to Scranton Stadium to take on the Scranton Miners, members of the American Football League and a farm club for the Steelers.

To fans, the Aug. 23, 1946, exhibition game marked the first appearance of an NFL team. But to Steelers center Chuck Cherundolo, the game had a special significance.

It would be Cherundolo Night at the stadium, the first time the Old Forge native would play in his hometown area since leaving for college in 1933. He was determined to have the best game possible.

Thirteen years before, a young Charles Cherundolo enrolled at Penn State, a gangling 6-foot, 1-inch, 170-pound former Old Forge High School player under coaches Cesare and Danny Semenza. He started on the Nittany Lions teams under coach Bob Higgins during the years 1934-36 and was named to several All-America and All-Sectional teams. At age 19, he captained the Penn State team.

Following his 1937 graduation, he reported to the Cleveland Rams, where he performed capably until 1940. That year, he went to the Philadelphia Eagles in a straight player deal that moved halfback Dick Favor to Ohio. The following year, 1941, as part of a shakeup involving the Eagles and the Steelers, Cherundolo went to Pittsburgh. He had gained weight and maturity, and he hit his peak with the Steelers. In 1942, he became the No. 1 center in the Eastern Division and missed the No. 1 league choice by one vote.

The year of his return to his hometown area was also the year of his return to football after missing three seasons to serve with the Navy. He came back as strong as he had ever been, the top man in the Steelers lineup. The crowd packed the stadium to see their hometown team take on the national pros. Old Forge residents, headed by Burgess Bart Petrini, Louis Pagnotti and Armando Rogo opened the evening with a ceremony to honor their hometown hero. The group presented Cherundolo with a United States bond, a camera and a man's traveling kit.

The Miners were ready for their opponents. For two weeks, they had held at least two drills daily. Local players included Carl Tomasello of Dunmore, former University of Scranton ace, at left end and Chet Podloski, former Coughlin High and Cleveland Rams star, at left tackle. Al Kaporch, Pittston native and member of the Detroit Lions, started at left guard. Four NFL refs officiated.

Fans were anxious to see how Dr. John "Jock" Sutherland, the Scottish coach, would lead Pittsburgh against their opponents, and how the Steelers' Bill "Bluefield Bullet" Dudley would perform. The All-American halfback had also taken time away from the game to serve his country - as a pilot. Like Cherundolo, Dudley was back to the game and as strong as ever.

The Steelers scored in every period, including 27 in the opening period. After five plays, Dudley scampered through right tackle from the Miner's 45-yard line and scored standing up. He also scored the extra point. The Steelers' second touchdown followed shortly. They held an 11-8 edge in first downs and picked up 376 yards against 147 for the Miners.

The Steelers routed the Miners 47-0.

Cherundolo remained with the Steelers through the 1940s, playing a total of 10 seasons in the league. He went on to coach 22 seasons with four teams: the Steelers, the Eagles, the Washington Redskins and the Chicago Bears. In 2007, as part of its 75th anniversary celebration, the Steelers named him to their Legends Team. Mr. Cherundolo died last month in Florida at the age of 96.

CHERYL A. KASHUBA is a freelance writer specializing in local history. Visit her at scran tonhistory.com.

Contact the writer: localhistory@timesshamrock.com.

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